Tres Leche Doughnuts with Dulce de Leche Icing

I think we can all agree that sometimes Mondays just need some doughnuts……

I’ve been having really crazy mood swings lately, and at first it was a little bit comical, but now it’s just getting really old really fast. It seems like I can go from zero, to being really super excited, to wanting to crush something, and back in 3.8 seconds. I’m going to go with attributing it mostly to the weather, because the shortening day length has not been helping me at all. For example, these doughnuts were photographed in one of the most frustrating lighting situations I’ve had since last Winter, infuriating. I’m going to have to get on it if I want to stop continually missing my optimum light during the day.

On a good news note, I finally broke out Tuck (my deep fryer) a few days ago so prepare for some exciting recipes very soon (I may have fried you something and dipped it in sugar for this Friday!) This news is either going to draw you in or send you running for the hills. Hopefully it’s the former. It’s hard to say who’s more excited between me and my fam about Tuck, me for how much time and quality he’s going to save me, or the fam for how much more often he’s going to inspire hot and crispy foods. It’s a toss up.

So these dodos, they’re not fried, but that doesn’t mean they’re not every bit as good as if they were. I was brainstorming ideas inspired by Cinco de Mayo and tres leche cake kept popping into my head. When we first moved here to Chile we lived in a really tiny, middle-of-nowhere, town and our friends and neighbors were a bit fanatical about the cake. Honestly, when I think back to that first year I’m always surprised at how well my family weathered the culture shock without mentally breaking down. We didn’t even speak Spanish for goodness sake and we still don’t speak it well. I feel like a major loser for not being able to speak it yet myself. I’m working on it though, really. And even though my particular version of this little thing I like to call life is pretty non-typical, I still have a lot of things keeping me distracted and busy. I’m not denying the fact that there’s some procrastination involved here, but I am trying.

Anyway though, tres leche (three milk) cake is one of the few foods that Chilean culture has in common with Mexico. As you may know, it’s a poke cake that you drench in a combination of different milks. It’s a staple here and so is manjar (or as it’s called in Mexico, dulce de leche). I’ve wanted to use them both in a recipe for ages but as for the cake, I knew I didn’t want to share the basic cake recipe that everyone here makes because my peeps and I aren’t the biggest fans of it. I personally find it to be too soggy by the time it’s had so much liquid poured over it and left with nowhere to go. That’s why I thought a doughnut would be a better form for the same idea because there’s so much more dry edge to absorb the three milks but not get too wet. The dulce de leche icing is, well, just the icing on the cake (imagine that).

The cake part is a thick, yet fluffy cake that’s only lightly sweet and perfect for absorbing all the sweetened dairy you’re going to pour on it. It’s extremely easy too because so many of the ingredients are things you probably already have in your pantry. This was one of those recipes that I felt compelled to test over and over to find the best ratios and methods. One of the things I tested was how much difference there is in whipping the egg whites versus simply mixing them into the batter whole. The verdict was that the difference wasn’t noticeable enough to be worth the hassle. Also, as you may imagine because the point of the cake is to be wet, they are a little bit messy so feel free to eat with a fork.

Just quick note on the recipe for you bakers, a few of my taste testers voted these better sans the icing because they liked them less rich, so if you want to skip it feel free. To each their own. Secondly, when filling the molds with the batter you may find it hard not to make a mess so if that’s the case you can scoop it into a pastry bag with a fat tip and just pipe it in.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease each slot of a 12-count doughnut pan with butter then coat well in flour. Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer then add eggs one at a time. Beat in salt, vanilla, and baking powder, then slowly mix in flour. Spoon (or pipe using a large round tipped piping bag) into molds and fill to the line. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes until golden brown on top.

Remove pan from oven and allow doughnuts to cool. Use the side of a thin spoon to loosen them from pans, then place them side by side in 1 or 2 large baking dishes or a high-sided pan (I like using 2 13x9s) and gently poke them all over with a toothpick or fork.

Tres Leche Combo:

Whisk the milks and vanilla together in a medium bowl until evenly combined. Pour over doughnuts and allow them to absorb as much as possible, spooning what runs off back over them as they absorb it. You can make them as wet as you'd like.

Dulce de Leche Icing:

Whip cream until it forms stiff peaks then gradually pour in powdered sugar while mixing. Mix in salt and vanilla, then pour in about 1 tablespoon of the dulce de leche and mix just until combined. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the rest of the dulce until icing is smooth and even. Dip the finished doughnuts in icing and place on a tray or wire rack to dry before serving.

These look amazing! I just found your blog. It caught my attention because we lived in Brazil for a while – fellow gringa. 🙂 You should update your About from photography skills-in-progress! You most definitely have developed the skill. These images are stunning!

It’s always fun to hear from others that understand living in South America! Also, you’re right I really do need to update my about me page because it’s been a while. Thank you so much for the sweet compliment Lori!